For a mama that’s spent months growing her little one, all she wants to do is hold them in her arms! So when that little bundle is admitted to the NICU, it can seem scary, and in some cases, like an actual nightmare. The NICU (or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) has a lot of bad connotations to it, but they can provide you and your new baby with the absolute best care around! In many cases, the overwhelming fear that surrounds the NICU comes from a lack of understanding of what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what the NICU entails for your new family! We’ve got you covered, Mama — this is what life in the NICU looks like.
WHY WERE WE ADMITTED?
Did you know that it’s not just premature babies that are admitted to the NICU? Any infant that requires specialized care is admitted to the NICU for additional observation and treatment. Some (but certainly not all!) of the reasons include:
Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (NRDS). This syndrome is most common in premature infants born six weeks or more before their due date, and is when your infant experiences rapid, shallow breaths and sharp pulling of their chest.
Prematurity. The most known reason for NICU admittance, prematurity occurs anytime an infant is born less than 37 weeks into pregnancy.
Sepsis or infection. This is caused by an infection in your baby’s blood, and can get quite severe if not treated–hence being admitted to the NICU to receive the best care possible!
Hypoglecemia. Also known as low blood sugar. This occurs most often when the mother is diabetic and is experiencing high glucose levels. Signs of this include tachycardia, lethargy, poor feeding, seizures, or hypothermia.
Congenital anomalies. More commonly known as birth defects, congenital anomalies are when your infant is born with heart defects, neural tube defects, syndromes, etc. Spending time in the NICU is the best way to help your baby survive the defects and thrive as they grow!
Maternal chorioamnionitis. This is a common complication of pregnancy that can result in postpartum infections and sepsis, premature birth, neonatal sepsis, chronic lung disease, etc. Early diagnosis of this can prevent many effects of it, and treatment in the NICU is advanced far beyond the delivery room alone.
Surgical intervention. Any time your new arrival (or you!) need some sort of medical intervention by surgery, it can quickly lead to some time in the NICU. This is to ensure that both of you receive the best care possible to get on the mend quickly!
LEVELS OF NICUS
Most people typically assume that every NICU is the same and offers the same level of care, but there are actually 4 different types of NICUs that vary based on capabilities and care that they can offer!
Level I: The first level of NICUs offers your most basic care. This level is for full term or almost full term little ones, and works to stabilize them for the move out!
Level II: This level is the advanced care NICU. For little ones born at or after 32 weeks, this is the perfect place for a little one that may be recovering from more severe concerns.
Level III: Specialized Care. This level of NICUs is for little ones born before 32 weeks or those suffering from critical illnesses. These NICUs are able to offer specialized equipment and medical professionals to give struggling little ones their best chance!
Level IV: Highest Level of Care. For very serious cases, this NICU has a full range of specialists and equipment to ensure the highly critical babies have the absolute highest level of care.
TERMS TO KNOW
When you’ve been moved to the NICU, everything can seem overwhelming and scary, especially if you’re struggling to learn all of the new lingo! Here’s a small crash course in what you’ll likely hear the most of!
STAFF
Neonatal Nurses. Neonatal nurses are a subspeciality of nurses that are trained and educated to work with newborns that were born with varying problems like prematurity, birth defects, infection, etc. They are specialized to work with those in their first month of life, but extend their care for several months after where necessary.
Neonatologists. A neonatologist is a subspeciality of pediatric doctors that are trained and educated to work with newborns born premature or with defects, infections, etc. You typically only find neonatologists in NICUs.
Pulmonologists. Pulmonologists are doctors that focus on the health of the respiratory system. They work with newborns that have troubles breathing, have respiratory system defects or insufficiencies, or suffer from respiratory issues like asthma.
Gastroenterologists. Gastroenterologists are doctors with a heavy focus on the gastrointestinal tract and liver. You will see a gastroenterologist if your newborn has issues or health concerns regarding their esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, liver, etc.
TREATMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
Radiant warmers and incubators. These are used to maintain the body temperature of your newborn. This helps expend their energy so that metabolic heat production is minimized. They’ll keep your infant in a womb-like warmth.
Cardiorespiratory monitor. This is a machine that will be used to check on your infant’s breathing and heart rate. It may also be called a CR monitor, an apnea monitor, or an apnea/bradycardia monitor around the NICU.
Pulse Oximeter. This is a small sensor that looks like a small bandage that can be wrapped around your newborn’s foot to measure how well they’re breathing. It can also be called a Pulse Ox.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). This is a type of respiratory ventilation that is used for newborn infants that are struggling with respiratory failure. It will deliver a stream of compressed air via hose so that unobstructed breathing becomes possible.
Intravenous Line (IV). If your little one is too small or sick to take feedings, their medications and fluids can be given through their veins or arteries–the IV can be placed in their hand, foot, or scalp, where their veins are most easily accessed. The IV will connect to a bag that contains fluids that are carefully delivered and monitored.
Orogastric and nasogastric tubes. These are used for decompression and feeding for newborns in the NICU. They are used as one of the most common nursing procedures, and are important for the wellbeing and growth of a critically ill infant.
STAYING POSITIVE
When you and your family are living in the NICU, it can be hard not to feel down, frustrated, or discouraged. But there’s always hope, and staying positive is the best way you can support your little one and growing family! Here are a few ideas to make your stay a little easier:
Be an active participant. As soon as you’re able and allowed, make an effort to be active in your little one’s care! Learning early on exactly what’s going on and where you can play a part can help you bond with your little one, feel like a mother, and feel more confident once it’s time for Baby to come home!
Ask questions. Seriously, Mama! There is no question too silly or annoying when it comes to your baby! If anything doesn’t make sense or you have any concerns, voice them! You and your doctors are all on the same team.
Bond with your staff. They can make your stay much more enjoyable when you’re spending so much time with them! Form a bond, ask questions, and enjoy their company — they can act as a pretty great support system in your time of need!
Encourage visitors. Depending on your little one’s health and wellbeing, there will definitely be limits on who and how many visitors you can have! However, once they’re allowed, make sure you’re encouraging people to come by in small doses. While you may be absolutely exhausted, the sight of familiar faces will raise your spirits almost immediately!
Bring items from home. If your family is staying in the NICU, having some comforting items from your home will make everything seem a little more familiar! Grab some blankets, a pillow or two, even frames or books from your home can help make the NICU feel a little more like your interim home!
We know it can seem like a lot, Mama, but spending that time in the NICU is the BEST thing for you and your baby! Try reaching out to other NICU mamas — their support and immediate bond with you will be something you’ll love having to lean on and cherish for years to come. You will grow into your role as a strong Mama and powerful advocate for your baby in the NICU, and will feel so much stronger when you leave to go home. And remember, Mama, we are ALWAYS here to support you!